Container

ABSTRACT

A container includes a wall, a bottom, and a discharge opening opposite the bottom, and, as applicable, a closing member arranged on the discharge opening. To improve such a container in a way that a temperature of the food stuff contained in the container can easily assume different values in specific areas, in the area of the bottom and/or the wall, and/or the closing member, at least one covering element is arranged on the container, which covering element is at least partially reflecting heat radiation, particularly microwave radiation.

The present invention relates to a container comprising a wall, a bottom, and a discharge opening opposite to the bottom, and, if applicable, a closing member arranged on the discharge opening.

Such containers are known in many forms, especially for receiving food. The containers may have very different shapes. For instance, they may be cup-shaped, box-shaped, or the like. As a rule, the corresponding foodstuff is directly taken via the discharge opening from the container. The material of such containers may also be very different, for instance cardboard, reinforced paper, plastics, a laminate also made from the preceding materials, or the like.

Such containers can be used for consuming a cooled foodstuff such as ice cream, yoghurt, or the like. It is also possible to heat the foodstuff e.g. in a microwave oven prior to consumption. This is inter alia applicable to foodstuffs such as soups, coffee, or the like.

This means that the cups that have so far been known from practice are suited for receiving a cooled or heated foodstuff and for keeping it ready for consumption.

It is the object of the present invention to improve a container of this type in such a way that a temperature of a foodstuff contained in the container can easily assume different values in specific areas.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, in the area of the bottom and/or the wall and/or the closing member, at least one covering means is arranged that is at least partially reflecting heat radiation, particularly microwave radiation. Said covering means reduces or prevents heating of the corresponding foodstuff at least in the area of the container where the covering means is arranged. In the remaining areas of the container, the heat rays pass through wall, bottom or closing member into the interior and serve to heat the foodstuff.

In this connection it is enough when the covering means reflects the corresponding heat rays only in part. This also accomplishes a temperature variation for the foodstuff contained in the container. Corresponding heat rays are for example infrared rays, microwave rays, or other waves that are heating the corresponding foodstuff by irradiation. It is self-evident that it is also possible to use a plurality of such covering means with different degrees of heat radiation reflection. For instance, one covering means may be reflective almost entirely, so that there is no heating by the heat rays in the corresponding section of the container. In another section of the container a covering means with a partial heat radiation-reflecting characteristic may be arranged, so that a partial heating of the corresponding foodstuff takes place in this instance. In yet another section of the container the covering means may be absent so that maximum heating by the corresponding heat radiation is observed at said place. Further combinations of covering means with different heat radiation reflecting properties are possible.

Depending on the irradiation direction of the heat rays, particularly microwave rays, and the position of the container in the microwave oven, the covering means is arranged according to the reflection of the rays. For instance, if the container stands with its bottom on a corresponding turntable inside the microwave oven, the covering means extends in circumferential direction around the container, thereby preventing the penetration of microwaves into the interior of the container and a heating of the corresponding foodstuff in the area of the covering means. This applies by analogy to devices with other heat rays.

If the container is not rotated by the corresponding turntable of the microwave oven, it may also be enough when the covering means is arranged only at sides of the container that are assigned to the corresponding irradiation directions of the microwaves.

Corresponding foodstuffs in the case of which only partial or different heating is desired are for example yoghurt, ice cream or rice pudding with fruits to be heated, a soup, or the like, including additional food which is arranged thereon and is to be kept in a cool condition, coffee with cream, pasta with sauce, etc.

Three or more constituents in the foodstuff are of course possible, each being heated in a different way.

Depending on the arrangement of the food that is not to be heated or is to be heated slightly, the one covering means or several covering means are arranged accordingly.

As a rule, it is enough when the covering means is arranged on the outer and/or inner surface of the wall.

The container wall may be completely covered by the covering means. The covering means may also comprise different zones with different reflection characteristics.

With foodstuff inside the container in the case of which a heating action in the upper part is to be reduced or prevented, it is also regarded as an advantage when the covering means is arranged in an upper section opposite to the bottom of the container on the wall.

Likewise, in the case of an incomplete covering of the container wall it is possible to arrange a corresponding covering means in a middle section, a lower section, a lower and an upper section and also with different heat radiation-reflecting properties each time. The reflection coefficient for the heat rays can also change stepwise or gradually at least in the height direction of the container.

To prevent a heating up to the discharge opening in this case, the covering means may be arranged next to the discharge opening of the wall.

A material showing high reflection of heat or microwave radiation is provided by metals that are e.g. also used for correspondingly shielding the microwave oven against the exit of microwaves. In this context the covering means may e.g. be a metallic coating which is applied at a corresponding place of the container. Instead of a coating, a metallic or metalized foil may also be used. Likewise, a metallic and metalized film is possible as the covering means.

Especially when a foil, a strip, or the like, is used that contains the corresponding metal, the covering means can be applied by hot stamping on the container.

It has already been pointed out that the container form is substantially of any desired shape according to the invention. Containers often used in this connection are cups in the case of which the covering means can e.g. be arranged directly on the cup wall.

Materials for such cups or also containers in general are particularly a container wall of paper, of plastics, of paper with an outer sleeve of particularly paper, of plastics with an outer sleeve particularly of paper or also with a double wall structure.

As a rule, such a container is provided along the discharge opening with a rim that is folded or rolled. The corresponding covering means can extend up to this rim of the discharge opening or particularly enclose the rim in a foil-like or coating-like covering means. This reliably prevents a situation where microwaves penetrate into the interior from the discharge opening up to a specific height of the container or cup.

As a rule, such containers are provided on an inside of the wall with a fluid-tight foil coating. This prevents both entry and exit of a liquid and particularly the penetration of gaseous substances that might impair the foodstuff. According to the invention it is possible that the covering means is arranged on such a fluid-tight foil coating on the inner surface of the wall. This simplifies the mounting of the covering means because it can e.g. also be mounted later on the container.

To simplify the arrangement and mounting of the covering means, said means may already be applied to a particularly two-dimensional blank of the container. This can also be done before e.g. the fluid-tight foil coating is applied to the inside of the wall, so that in this case the covering means is arranged between foil coating and inner surface of the wall.

Since a rotation of the container or the cup around the longitudinal axis thereof normally takes place in the microwave oven it is of advantage when every covering means is formed along the corresponding wall with the same height and/or thickness. Independently of the arrangement of the container inside the microwave oven, an adequate reflection of the microwaves is thereby possible to prevent heating of the food arranged in the area of the covering means. Heating via heat conduction or heat radiation by the food part heated by microwaves is here observed at the most, but no direct heating by microwaves. It should once again be noted that other rays, such as infrared rays or the like, could be used as heat rays.

It is also possible to arrange the covering means not permanently on the container, the covering means being a covering part that is separately mountable on the container. This part may e.g. only be used during the arrangement of the container in the microwave oven. Furthermore, cups are particularly known from practice in the case of which the container wall is double-walled, for example by pushing an outer sleeve from the outside onto the container wall or by wrapping an outer sleeve from the outside around the container wall. Such a double wall structure particularly serves the heat insulation of the container. According to the invention it is possible to arrange the corresponding covering means directly on only one container wall on the inside and/or outside, on both containers walls on the inside and/or outside, or also on the push-on outer sleeve in a corresponding way. The double wall configuration can also be realized by way of a double wall structure directly of the container wall.

According to the invention the corresponding arrangement and formation of the covering means is independent of the shape, the material of the container, its single wall or double wall structure, or the like. In each of said containers, the covering means is/are adapted to be arranged at the desired place.

Since the covering means prevents a heating of the food arranged in its area in the interior of the container, it can also be used in an advantageous way directly for handling the container and for removing the foodstuff. Handling can be facilitated if the corresponding surface of the covering means is structured. It is also possible to apply the covering means directly to a correspondingly structured surface of the container. Such a structuring may be corrugated, it may comprise a number of dimples or projections, or the like.

A covering means according to the invention is also usable for containers that are provided on their outside or inside with surrounding projections or steps, a destacking aid, or the like.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention shall now be explained in more detail in the following with reference to figures attached to a drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a cup-shaped container comprising a covering means;

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a square container comprising a covering means;

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of a cup-shaped container of a substantially triangular cross-section;

FIG. 4 is a top view on a two-dimensional blank for a cup-shaped container according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a cup-shaped container comprising an outer sleeve; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective side view of a cup-shaped container with a double wall structure.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a container 1 in the form of a cup 11. Said container comprises a surrounding wall 2, which is closed at its lower end by a bottom 3. Opposite to bottom 3, the cup 11 comprises a discharge opening. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, said opening is closed by a closing member 5 in the form of a foil sealed onto a rim 12 of the discharge opening.

The container 1 or cup 11 is made from materials permitting the arrangement and heating of a foodstuff contained in the interior in a microwave oven. Such materials are, for example, paper, cardboard, plastics, or the like, and it is also possible to use a plurality of layers made from said materials, for example for the container wall.

As a rule, the rim 12 is folded or rolled radially to the outside.

In an upper section 7 of the wall 2, a covering means 6 is arranged. Said means is formed by a metallic coating 8, a metalized foil 9 or a metallic film 10. The metal contained in the covering means 6 serves to reflect microwaves when the container 1 is arranged in a microwave oven for heating the foodstuff contained in its interior. This means that foodstuff arranged in the area of the covering means 6 is not directly heated by the microwaves.

In FIG. 1, the corresponding covering means 6 is arranged on an outside of the wall 2. As an alternative or in addition, the covering means 6 may also be arranged accordingly on an inside of the wall 2; see, for example, FIG. 3.

The covering means 6 according to FIG. 1 can be directly applied as a corresponding coating, foil or film onto the wall 2. It is also possible that the covering means 6 is a separate part with respect to wall 2, which part is for example slid or pushed from the outside onto the container 1 into the position shown in FIG. 1 and is secured there, if necessary. Such a separate covering means 6 may also be configured as a covering part 17; see also FIG. 1.

Such a covering part 17 may only comprise the corresponding covering means 6 (see FIG. 1) or may also be slidable in the form of an outer sleeve 18 (see FIG. 3) together with the corresponding covering means 6 from the outside onto the container.

Depending on the type of covering means 6, the means is mounted accordingly. In the case of a metalized foil 9 as the covering means 6, mounting may for example be performed by way of hot stamping. If a foil or a coating is used, laminating is also possible, or in the case of a film, a powder or a liquid, an application by injection or spraying, or the like, may be performed with subsequent curing or drying, if necessary.

The corresponding covering means 6 may also extend over the whole height of the container or cup or, as an alternative or in addition, it may be arranged in a lower section; see the second covering means 6 in FIG. 1. This applies by analogy to all of the other containers described in the following. It is also possible that the different covering means, or also a covering means extending over the total height of the container, differ in their reflecting characteristics with respect to heat or microwave radiation. For instance, the covering means that is at the top in FIG. 1 is substantially configured to be totally reflective with respect to heat rays, whereas the covering means 6 arranged at the bottom in FIG. 1 is made reflective only in part. For instance, different temperature ranges can be easily accomplished in the foodstuff arranged in the container. In this example the middle section of the container of FIG. 1 is nowhere shielded so that maximum heating of the corresponding foodstuff takes place in this section.

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a square container 1. In this container, the covering means 6 is provided on the container 1 as a surrounding ribbon in an upper section 7. The covering means 6 can be arranged accordingly on an outer and/or inner surface of the container 1 in the upper section 7.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the covering means 6 is spaced apart from an upper discharge opening 4. According to FIG. 1 the covering means 6 is arranged directly next to the discharge opening 4, the covering means 6 possibly comprising the folded or rolled rim 12.

As a rule, a height 16 of the covering means 6, with which the means extends in height direction of the corresponding container 1, is the same along the wall 2 of the container 1 or cup 11. The corresponding thickness of the covering means 6 may also be the same.

In a further embodiment, and particularly in the absence of a turntable in the microwave oven, it may be enough to arrange the covering means 6 on opposite sections of the wall 2. In this case the covering means 6 does not extend along the whole periphery of the container 1 or the cup 11.

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of a further cup 11 as the container 1, which differs from the cup shown in FIG. 1 by its cross section. The cross-sectional form of the corresponding container is substantially of any desired shape according to the invention because the covering means 6 can be arranged or mounted accordingly in any cross-sectional shape. This applies by analogy also to a single-, double- or multi-walled container, and the covering means may here be arranged on one wall, on two walls or also on several walls. This applies by analogy to the inner and outer surface of the corresponding wall.

In FIG. 3, the covering means 6 is arranged on an inner surface 14 of the wall 2 of the cup 11. This cup has a substantially triangular cross-section. The covering means 6 extends up to the rim 12 and may enclose the same.

In containers serving to receive food, a fluid-impermeable foil coating 14 is normally applied to the inner surface 14. The covering means 6 may here be arranged on an outer surface of this foil coating or between foil coating and wall 2. Likewise, a combination of the two arrangements is possible, and a covering means 6 may additionally be arranged on an outer surface of the wall.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of a cup 11, in which an outer sleeve 18 is slid or pushed thereonto from the outside in the form of a covering part 17 and is normally secured in its pushed-on position. Such an outer sleeve 18 serves, for example, an easier handling of cups into which a very hot foodstuff, such as coffee or tea, is filled. The corresponding double wall structure of the cup makes it possible to grip the cup containing such a hot foodstuff.

In this case, too, a corresponding covering means 6 may be provided. Said means can be arranged on an outer and/or inner surface of the outer sleeve 18.

Projections that form heat-insulating air chambers between outer sleeve 18 and container wall 2 may be provided between outer sleeve 18 and cup wall 2. Moreover, the outer sleeve may be provided on its outer and/or inner surface with a structure formed, for example, by corrugations, projections or dimples. The covering means 6 can also be applied to such a structured surface.

In yet another embodiment, a corresponding structure is for example only provided in the area of the covering means 6. Since the covering means prevents heating of the foodstuff contained in the container by microwaves, the handling of the container in the area of the covering means is of advantage because it is at said place that little or no heated foodstuff is in contact with the container wall 2. As a result, areas of the container 1 that contain heated or hot foodstuff need not be touched.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing a substantially two-dimensional blank 15 particularly for a cup 11 according to FIG. 1. According to the invention the covering means 6 may be applied in the form of a metallic coating, metalized foil or a metalized film 8, 9, 10 directly onto the blank in an upper section 7. A corresponding height 16 or also thickness of the covering means 6 is the same along the whole extension of the covering means along the blank.

As has already been stated, the covering means 6 may here be arranged on an outer surface of a fluid-tight foil coating 13 or also between said coating and the container wall 2. A combination of both arrangements is also possible; if the two arrangements are combined, a complete extension along the blank 15 need not be present. For instance, one of the covering means 6 may only extend in places along the blank, the further covering means 6 complementing the other covering means accordingly.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show further embodiments of a container 1 formed as a cup 11. In FIG. 5, the corresponding container 1 comprises an outer sleeve; see also FIG. 3. Said sleeve is slid onto or wrapped around the corresponding container wall and substantially extends over the total height of the container up to and underneath the corresponding container rim 12. Such an outer sleeve may have a surface structure. The corresponding covering means 6 may be part of the outer sleeve and/or of the container wall covered by the outer sleeve. By analogy with FIG. 1, a plurality of covering means are possible, or also one covering means extending over the total height of the container. Furthermore, one covering means may be part of the outer sleeve and another covering means may be part of the container wall. Said covering means may also show different reflection characteristics with respect to the heat or microwave radiation.

In FIG. 6, the cup 11 comprises a double-walled container wall 2. By analogy with the containers that have so far been described, said wall is provided with one or more covering means 6. It is here again possible that the corresponding covering means is arranged on an outer and/or inner surface of the outer container wall and/or on an inner and/or outer surface of the inner container wall. Likewise, when several covering means are used, said means may show different reflection characteristics with respect to the heat rays. Moreover, in such a double wall structure of the container wall, said wall may enclose air chambers or another material which just shows little heat conduction. This facilitates the handling of very cold or very hot foodstuff.

It should once again be pointed out that according to the invention the container may substantially have any desired shapes or cross sections, and a corresponding covering means can also be arranged as an individual means or as a plurality of means independently of a single-, double- or multi-walled structure of the container. This equally applies to structured container walls or to outer sleeves or covering parts that are mountable on the container wall from the outside. 

1. A container (1) comprising a wall (2), a bottom (3), and a discharge opening (4) opposite to the bottom (3), and, if applicable, a closing member (5) arranged on the discharge opening, characterized in that in the area of the bottom (3) and/or the wall (2) and/or the closing member (5) at least one covering means (6) is arranged on the container which covering means is at least partially reflecting heat radiation particularly microwave radiation.
 2. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (6) is arranged on the outer and/or inner surface of the wall (2) and/or within the wall.
 3. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (6) essentially extends over the overall height of the container.
 4. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (6) is arranged in at least one upper and/or middle and/or lower section of the wall.
 5. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (6) is arranged on the wall (2) next to the discharge opening (4).
 6. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (6) is a metallic coating (8).
 7. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (6) is a metalized foil (9).
 8. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (6) is a metalized film.
 9. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (6) is applied by hot stamping.
 10. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (1) is a cup (11).
 11. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the container wall, in particular is made of paper, of a plastic material, of paper with an outer sleeve, of plastic material with an outer sleeve, or with a double wall structure.
 12. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (6) extends up to a folded or rolled rim (12) of the discharge opening (4).
 13. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (6) is arranged on a fluid-tight film coating (13) on an inner surface (14) of the wall (2).
 14. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (6) is applied to a particularly two-dimensional blank (15) of the container (1).
 15. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (6) is arranged between a fluid-tight foil coating (13) and an inner surface (14) of the wall (2).
 16. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (6) is provided with the same height (16) and/or thickness along the wall (2).
 17. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (6) is a covering part (17) that is separately mountable on the container (1).
 18. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (6) is, or is part of, an outer sleeve (18) adapted to be slid onto the container wall (2) or wrapped around the container.
 19. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that a surface (19) of the covering means (6) is structured.
 20. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that each covering means (6) is made different in its reflection capability with respect to heat radiation and/or comprises sections with different reflection capabilities.
 21. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (6) has a reflection coefficient for heat rays that changes stepwise or gradually in height direction of the container. 